Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Details wanted on Ruger American magazine lengths

I keep hearing about potential magazine length issues on certain Ruger American calibers. Can someone summarize this for me? Is it just the .223? Is the action physically long enough, just the mag limited with a block? If so, I see am opportunity to design a workaround. Thanks

I've owned two 243's and one 223. I had no issue with any bullet I tried in the 243's. The 105 A-Max reached the lands well within mag box confines. I used to have a picture, but lost it?

The 223 issue was a different story. The 75 A-Max wouldn't work. The rifle was throated appropriately, but the mag box was too short. All other bullets I tried worked fine, but I don't have any 68's or 69's on hand to check.

I tried a modification, but there's not an easy solution.

223 mag...



The back of the mag box snaps off easy enough. Push in the tabs and it pops off. The rear of the box is set up for a rotary fill. No spacer in the box. Just a thin plastic wall.



The hollowed out portion at the rear of the box is really thin. Too thin to increase usable space to 2.5"ish. If this area was solid plastic, it would be a quick fix.

How much more length does it ideally need? Can the existing follower/spring be used or does it need to be longer also? A new plastic rear may not be that hard.

There is no issue unless you want to use heavy (70gr and up) or long bullets (monometal or longish VLD designs) in the 223; in that case, there are other suitable rifles on the market. I'm loading to 2.260" in my RAR 223 and it works fine.

The existing follower and spring would work, but the follower fits in the round hole in the center of the box. It does protrude, so this measurement couldn't change using the same parts. Cartridges could easily flow around the center protrusion though. The spring is in the front of the mag box.

It could be done with a new rear portion of the box....

You'd need .060" more.

SAS,
Thanks for the info, that's what I wanted to know. I don't mind doing the CAD work and getting a mold made to run new parts, but I'd like to know what the market is before I go through the trouble. If enough people would commit to buying them I will do it.

I doubt you'd have any trouble selling a bunch!

I have a CNC Machining Center just sitting still....What about just making some samples from a plastic block to test?

SSB,
What is needed to make this happen? Just a CAD file, if so what format? I am not familiar with creating the machining file, or whatever its called.

I have access to a 3D printer so I could run some SLA parts easily. Funny thing is, I don't own one of these guns so I would need a magazine for getting measurements and a tester for the prototypes.

I will have a rifle here as soon as the stainless compacts are out. Just get me a drawing...I'll take care of the programming.

Scott

Cotis, guess I thought you already had a rifle for measurements...sounds like we are all jumping the gun...lol.

Cotis: Just buy a spare Ruger American magazine. You will sell a boatload of the rear plates. But I would not delay because you have a window of opportunity until Ruger gets off their azz and modifies the factory mags. Quickparts would be another source.

If you are able to make the part...I'd be in for a few!

Magazine is on its way. I hope to have something done in the next week or two.

This project is progressing nicely. Should have something ready in the next week.

Something came Fedex while I was gone yesterday...pics up as soon as Photobucket will allow.

Well? Inquiring minds want to know?

Kaiser Norton

Man this is cool

Cotis is working on some neat stuff. I'll let him elaborate later.